Controlling mechanism for flying-machines and the like.



an. OURTISS. CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR FLYING MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

' APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1912. 1,085,575, Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

3 SHEETS SHEET l.

Glen/a flC urz'zlss L A. m A w Mn 1 Qm iw/ QM. \m N 6w J. \./M.\\ W M Mb Q fl N w G. H. GURTISS.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR FLYING MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1912. 1 085,575 Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' affaruegs.

G. H. CURTISS. CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR FLYING MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1912.

Patented J an. 27, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

AWN w N M." @7622 K622752153 M 0 a f a Ill wzwesses To all whom it mayconcern:

GLENN H. CURTISS, 0F HAMMONDSPORT, NEW YORK.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR. FLYING-MACHINES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 27, 1914.

Application filed September 6, 1912. Serial No. 715,840.

chines and the like, of which the following is a clear, full, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to improvements 1n flying machines, and moreparticularly to a control mechanism therefor.

The several advantages of the present improvement will more clearlyappear from the following specification, while the scope of theinvention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention shown in the drawings,Figure 1 is a side elevation of a flying machine with the presentimprovement embodied therein; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same;Fig. 3 is a plan of the same with the supporting planes removed; Fig. 4is an-enlarged detail of the steering lever andcontrols; Fig. 5 is anend elevation enlarged of the operato-rs' seat and shoulder frame; Figs.6 and 7 are plan and front elevations respectively of said shoulderframe. a v e For purposes of illustration- I have shown the presentimprovement as combined with a flying machine of the hydro-aeroplane,type, more commonly known as a flying boat, and the novel features ofthe flying machine per se will form the subject-matter of a separateapplication, Serial No. 771 ,646, a division of the Referring moreparticularly to the drawings, there is shown a boat body 1 of sufficientbuoyancy for supporting the entire.

machine upon the water and having mounted above the same one or moresupporting planes l1 and 12 connected by the usual forward and rearstruts 14, 14 forming an aeroplane. These supporting planes 11 and.

12 are arranged in lifting relation to the boat when floating'on thewater, and are provided with suitable driving means consisting of engine15 and air-propeller 16 of sufficient capacity to enable the same tolift said machine clear of the water in flight.-

The boat body 1 is of seaworthy construction for travel on the water andcontains therein, preferably at its forward part, the operators seat 8and other controls more particularly described hereinafter, and extendsas shown from the front to rear of the entire machine to serve as thefusilage therefor.

At the stern 3 of the boat is a suitable.

water rudder 9, preferably of rigid material carried on the pivotedrudder post 24, and

beneath said rudder is preferably a projecting skegg 10 for protectingthe same.

Mounted above the water rudder and preferablyupon the same post 24therewith is the vertical air rudder 25-of lighter material, such as acanvas covered frame, for steering the machine to the right and left inthe -air. The air rudder 25 has an extension 26 forward of its pivot topartially balance the wind pressure thereon. The rudder wires 38connected to each side of the rudder post at 40 and 41, lead forwardlyand pass up through the pivot of hollow steering lever 35 as shown inFigs; .1 and 4.

The machine is also preferably provided at its rear end with a fixedvertical surface 20 and a fixed horizontal surface 21' in front of therudders, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.' At the rear of the horizontalsurfaces 21 are mounted upon the pivotal shaft 23 two horizontal rudders22 and 22 for steering the machine up and down. The upper and lowerconnecting wires 36, 37 respectively for these horizontal rudders leadforwardly and are fastened above and below the pivotal point of lever 35as shown.

The aeroplane attached above the boat in the present embodimentpreferably consists of the superposed su porting planes as shown, andthe lower p ane 12 is preferably secured at its middle slightly abovethe upper deck of the boat and spreads outwardly therefrom in bothdirections at a slight upward angle so as to form a dihedral angle, asshown in- Fig. 2. -Mounted adjacent the lateral portions of each side ofthis wing tips thereof, are pontoons 27 of hollow construction havingtrailing blades 28 for the purpose of keeping the wing tips clear of thewater when the machine is traveling thereon. The aeroplane as shown isalso preferably provided with equilibrium-restoring devices one at eachlateral edge of the, machine, and consisting in the present embodimentof ailerons 17 and 17 pivoted at 14' upon the rear posts 14. between theplanes 11 and 12. The controlling wires 45 and 45* attached to the uppersurface of each aileron lead respectively around suitlower plane, andpreferably fixed to the both ailerons,

able guides to opposite sides of the swinging shoulder frame 51, asshown in Figs. 6 and 7. The wire 44connects the underside of whereby theshoulder frame when swung in either direction will throw the aileronssimultaneously to opposite angles of incidence for balancing the machinein fli ht, as is well understood.

Re erring more particularly to Figs. 5,

- 6 and 7, the operators seat and the pre-' sired. A pair of seats 47and 47 preferably located side by side, are carried upon a frame whichis detachably secured by bolts 106 to the machine. See Fig. 3. Pivotallymounted upon eyes 52 and 52 of said seat is a shoulder frame consistingof vertical rods 48, 49 pivotally connected at 54 and 56 to a back rod51 whereby this frame may swing laterally upon the seat. The wires 45and 45 leading to the ailerons, as previ ously described, are attachedto each side of this frame so as to be operated by its lateral movement,as is well understood in the Curtiss type of machine. Rigidly attachedto the back rod 51 and therefrom is an intermediate arm 53 which extendsbetween the operators when seated and adapted to be engaged by thebodily movement thereof in one direction. At each end of the back rod 51is pivotally mounted a side arm 57, 58 as shown, for being engaged bythe operators when moving in the other direction. Each-side, arm 57, 58is similarly mounted and controlled, and a description of one willsuflice. The side arm 58 forms an integral part of a sleeve 60 looselymounted to rotate on the upright rod 49, see Fig. 5.

I sleeve 60 has an integral projecting arm 61 connected by link 64 to apivoted cam-operated lever 66, pivoted upon the forward part of the seatat 68. A similar cam lever 65 pivoted at 67 is connected by link 63 andprojecting arm 62 to the opposite side arm 57. A spring 69 connected toa rearward extension of each side arm 57, 58 normally acts to throw saidarms outwardly, as shown indotted lines, Fig. 6, so as not to be in aposition to be engaged by the bodily movement of an operator. 70pivotally mounted at 73 between the cam levers- 65 and 66 acts to throweither one or both of said cam levers outwardly and through theconnections described to throw the side arm 57 or 58 or both of theminwardly to their active position. The cam 70 projecting forwardly Thelower portion of the crating A semi-circular can is provided withfriction rollers 71, 72 as shown, and is preferably operated from a gearpinion 74 fixed to its lower side adapted to be engaged by a rack 75sliding in guide 76, see Figs. 5 and 7. The rack 75 is connected by linklever 79, having engage -in three different positions of notchedquadrant 80. It. will be obvious from the foregoing description that theoperation of the semi-circular cam 70 through the hand lever 79 acts tothrow eitherone or both of the tivecondition for being operated. Whenthe cam is in the positlon shown in' solid.

lines both side arms will be thrown inwardly into their active positionand a rigid connection will thus be formed between said side arms andthe laterallyswinging frame, and the parts are then adjusted so thatboth of said seated operators may control the ailerons. When the cam' isthrown to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 6, the side arm 58.is swung. into the dotted position bythe spring 69, while side arm 57 issecurely locked-1n shown. A reverse position of the cam 70 from thatshown in dotted lines releases side arm 57 and locks side arm tion.

It is obvious that various e uivalent constructions maybe employed oroperating and adjusting the controlling mechanism in the way described,and I do not wish to be .limited to the particular embodiment shown foraccomplishing tl16'18S11ltS desired.

Mounted in the cock-pit in front of the seat is a rocking shaft 32,having connections by wire 31 to the throttle of the engine. Foot pedals30 and 34 are preferably fixed 78 to lowerend of hand latch bolt 81adapted to side arms into ac- 58 in active posi- '90 its active posltionas, 1

-to the rock shaft one for each operator, and

each foot pedal is preferably formed with an extension 30* and 34 toenable either operator to rock the shaft positively in either direction.A spring 33 may be also provided for automatically returning said shaftto throttle-closing position.-

The steering lever 35 is preferably hollow and mounted to rock onpivotal trunnions 85. Said steering lever is also preferably 'forked atits upper end as shown in Fig. 4

so as to support two steering wheels 82 and 83, one on each branch ofthe fork. One of said steering wheels such as 82 is connected in theusual way with the cables 38 for opwheel 83 is connected to turn withthe wheel 82 by means of any suitable connections,

such as sprocket 86 and chain 84. It will controls for the machine,including the steering Wheels 82, 83, lever 35, throttle" pedals 30, 34and shoulder frame 51 areflall the rudders, and-the other. steering Itwill 1 mounted upon the boat body adjacent the I I operators seat, whichis my' preferred arrangement.

I wish it to be understood that my inven tion may be embodied in variousequivalent forms other than the one herein shown which is merely apreferred disclosure to enable others to carry out my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A controlling mechanism for flying machines and the like comprising apair of said seats comprising side arms arranged to be in active'orinactive condition for rendering said frameoperable by the bodilymovement of each operator, and hand-actuated means for placing either'ofsaid arms in active condition. 3. In a flying machine lnfcomblnation,

' equilibrium-restoring devices for said maating the same, and meanchine, a pair of seats for seating two operators, a body-moved mechanismmounted adjacent said seats'for operating said equilibrium-restoringdevices, and means for rendering said mechanism operable by thesai'doperato-rs exclusively. i

4. In a flying machine in combination, equilibrium-restoring devices forsaid machine, a self-contained apparatus detachably mounted-on saidmachineffor controlling the movement of said equilibrium-restoring deyices, comprising a pair of seats for seatmg two operators, a-body-movedframe movably mounted on said seats and connected to saidequilibrium-restoring devices for operfor rendering said frameoperableby the bodily movement of either of said operators.

5. In a flying machine in combination, equilibrium-restoring devices,forsaid machine, a self-contained apparatus detachably mounted on saidmachine for controllingthe movement of said equilibrium-restoringdevices, comprislng a palr of seats for seating two operators, abody-moved frame movably mounted on said seats and connected to saidequilibrium-restoring devices for operating the same, and means forrendering said frame operable by the bodily movement of either one ofsaid operators exclusively said operators as may be de-- orby both ofsired.

6. In a flying machine in combination, equilibrium-restoring devices forsaid machine, a pair of seats for seating two operators, a body-movedframe movablymounted adjacent said seats and connected to saidequilibrium-restoring devices for operating the same, and means forrendering said frame operable to-be moved by the bodily movement ofeither one of said operators exclusively; I

- 7. A controlling mechanism for flying machines and thelike,compr'ising a pair of seats for seating two operators, a laterallymovable frame mounted adjacentsaid seats, .sa1d frame comprising movablearms ar-' ranged to form a partial inelosure for each operator, andmeans for shifting saidarms to open or close either inclosure as may bedesired.

8. In a flying machine in combination, equilibrium-restoring devices forsaid machine, a pair of seats for seating two operators, a laterallymovable frame mounted adjacent said seats and having connections to saidequilibrium-restoring devices for opcrating the same, said framecomprising arms arranged to be 1n active or inactive conditionforrendering said frame operable by each operator and. means for placingeither of said arms in active condition.

9.-In a flying machine in combination, equilibrium-restoring devices forsaid machine, a pair of. seats for seating two operators, a laterallymovable frame mounted adjacent said seats and having connections to saidequilibrium-restoring devices for operating the same, saidhframecomprising arms arranged to be in active or inactive condition forrendering said frame operable by each operator, means normally tendingto place both of said arms in inactive condition, means for placingeither or both of said arms? in xactive condition and locking the samein said condition.

10. A controlling mechanism for flying machines and the like comprisinga pair of seats for seating two operators, a laterally movable framemounted adjacent said seats,

said frame comprising arms extending by thesidesbe in active or inactivecondition for rendering said frame operable by the bodily movement ofeach operator, means normally tending to place both of said arms ininactive condition, and cam-operated devices for placing either of saidarms in active condition, and a hand-lever for operating said cam.

11. A. controlling mechanism for flying machines and the like comprisinga pair of seats for seating two operators, a laterally movable framemounted adjacent said seats, said frame comprising an intermediate rigidarm and two pivoted side arms one at the outside of each'operator,spring means nor- Inally tending to throw said pivoted arms away fromthe sides of said operators, a pivoted cam adapted to operate said sidearms through connections for closing either of the operators andarranged to for seating two operators,

one or both of said side arms against the sides of the operators andholding the-same in this position, and a hand-lever for operating saidcam.

12. In a flying machine having horizontal and vertical steering ruddersand movable equilibrium-restoring devices for said machine, a pair ofseats for seating two operators, the combination of a body-movedmechanism mounted adjacent said seats for controlling theequilibrium-restoring devices, and having means for renderin saidmechanism operable by either one 0 said operators exclusively as may bedesired, with duplicate steering mechanism for-said horizontal andvertical rudders, operator and connected to move in unison.

13. In a flying machine, an operators controlling mechanism therefor,two seats-for seating two operators, and adjustable devices arranged tobe set for rendering said controlling mechanism operableby either one orthe other of, said operators exclusively while seated in theirrespective -seats.

14. In a flying machine, an operators controlling mechanism therefor,two seats for seating two operators, and adjustable devices arranged tobe set for rendering said controlling mechanism operable by either oneor theother of said operators exclusively while seated in theirrespective seats, or by both of said operators at the same time as maybe desired.

.15. In a flying machine, an operators controlling mechanism therefor,two seats adjustable devices arrangedto be set indifferent positions,one position for rendering said controlling. mechanism operable by oneof said operatorsexone for each 4 clusively, and a second position forrendering said controlling mechanism operableby said other operatorexclusively.

16. In a flying machine, an operators controlling mechanism therefor,for seating two operators, adjustable devices arranged to be set intothree different positions, one position for rendering said controllingmechanism operable by one of said operators exclusively, a secondposition for rendering said controlling mechanism operable by the otheroperator exclusively, and a third position for rendering saidcontrolling mechanism operable by both of said operatorsat the sametime; I

17. In a flying machine in combination, equilibrium restoring devicesfor said machine, an operators controlling mechanism foroperatingsaidequilibrium restoring de'- vices, two seatsfor seating twooperators andmeans for enabling said controlling two seats v mechanismto be operated by either one .or v

the othe of said operators exclusivelywhile seated in theirrespective-seats.

18. In' a flying machine, an operators controlling mechanism therefor,two seats for seating two operators, adjustable devices arranged tobeset rendering said controlling mechanism operable by either one or theother of said pperators exclusively while seated in them respectiveseats.

, Signed at New York city, New York, this 22nd day of August, 1912.

' GLENNH', CURTISS.-

. Witnesses:

BEATRICE Mmvrs, ABRAM Bmms'mm.

by hand at all times for

